Steve Case Prepares for an Active Role
As AOL Time Warner Looks to Future

By

Julia Angwin and

Martin Peers Staff Reporters of The Wall Street Journal

Updated Jan. 17, 2002 11:59 p.m. ET

Steve Case crafted the deal of the century when he used America Online's highflying Internet stock to purchase old media giant Time Warner for $156 billion at the height of the Internet boom in 2000. At just 43 years old, Mr. Case is chairman of the combined media, film, publishing and Internet giant, now known as AOL Time Warner Inc.

But in the first year after the merger, Mr. Case stayed out of the limelight and allowed Chief Executive Gerald Levin to run the show. While AOL Time Warner moved its headquarters to New...